Washington, D.C. — Veterans from across the country, all selected national winners in music, dance, drama or art contests, will arrive in Grand Junction, Colorado, on October 11 for the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. The Festival culminates a year-long fine arts talent competition open to all veterans receiving medical treatment at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities across the country.
These talented veterans, selected from among thousands of entries, are here for a week of rehearsals and workshops concluding on Sunday, October 17, with a gala variety stage show and art exhibit at Mesa State College. The music, drama and dance winners will perform in a stage show backed by a professional orchestra beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the Robinson Theater. World renown actress of Hollywood’s golden era, Jane Powell, will emcee the show. The artists will exhibit their work at the Liff Auditorium starting at 4:30 p.m.
"In VA hospitals we have learned that real healing does not always mean taking care of just the physical needs of a patient. It often requires treating the ‘whole’ person," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Togo D. West, Jr. "Patients in VA medical facilities all across the country benefit from the role creative arts therapy plays in their recovery and rehabilitation. This magnificent show celebrates both the talents of the participants and the accomplishments of that therapy."
The Festival is sponsored by VA with the help of this year’s co-sponsor, Help
Hospitalized Veterans, and long-time national sponsor The Recording Industries Music Performance Trust Fund. It is hosted this year by the Grand Junction VA Medical Center.
The public is invited to attend the gala performance and art show. Admission is free, but tickets are required. For ticket information, call (970) 248-5590.
###
Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov
Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.
Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.
Subscribe today to receive these news releases in your inbox.
